Hospital Employee Health – May 1, 2013
May 1, 2013
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HBV transmission to surgical patients raises testing issues
A recent case of hepatitis B transmission from a surgeon to as many as eight patients highlights the potential risk of health care workers who perform exposure-prone procedures but do not know their bloodborne pathogen status. Yet public health authorities say such transmissions are too rare to justify a testing mandate. -
CDC recommendations for managing HBV+ HCWs
According to guidelines updated in 2012,1 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following measures for identifying and managing hepatitis B virusinfected health-care providers and students: -
HCWs are put on alert for ‘nightmare’ bacteria
A new nightmare bacteria has put renewed emphasis on health care worker use of personal protective equipment and compliance with hand hygiene. -
Will HCWs welcome a B95 respirator?
A better respirator designed specifically for health care workers is on the horizon. Manufacturers are working with the Veterans Health Administration and its Project BREATHE to create a B95, a respirator to protect against biologic hazards. -
Less TB testing means more time for EH
Screening for latent tuberculosis, once a key function of hospital employee health, has been transformed by new guidelines and new blood tests. The changes have greatly reduced the use of skin testing and freed employee health professionals to perform other important tasks, but they also have created some new, sometimes difficult, issues. -
‘Focused coping’ relieves job stress
Each nurse has a way of coping with the stresses of the job, whether there is conflict with coworkers or patients or difficulty balancing the demands of work and family life. But those who cope most effectively use just one or two strategies, recent research shows.1 -
Teamwork means healthy, happy health care workers
Want a healthier, happier workforce? Try the team approach to wellness.